My drive to work is mostly along the M62. I drive on the M62 for about 30 Miles. The amount of time I am on the motorway is about 50 minutes. Now, using a bit of Speed-Distance-Time calculations I remember from school, this means my average speed is about 36 miles per hour.
Now, I’ve noticed in recent month that there seems to be an increase in Average Speed Cameras (most noticabley on the M18 and M1 through the roadworks) . Surely, if I can be prosecuted for my average speed being greater than the speed limit, one line of logic would suggest that I shouldn’t be prosecuted if my average speed is less than the speed limit?
To extrapolate on that theory, I know that the ‘problem’ stretch for the M62 (for me at least) is 7 miles long, and takes me half an hour to negotiate. This means my average speed in this section is just 14 mph. Because the speed limit is 70 mph, I should (theoretically) be able to do the whole 30 mile stretch in 26 minutes. My theory would suggest then, that I could legally drive the 23 miles preceding the problem are at whatever speed I like, as my total average speed (over the full 30 miles) could not possible be above 70!
Sadly, I don’t believe it works like that 
.
Disclaimer: I’m not thick, and realise that the reason you get prosecuted for an average speed is that to have an average speed greater that the limit you must have exceeded the speed limit at some point in the calculation area. I don’t condone law breaking of any sort, and I’m good boy.
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I think without the disclaimer you’d probably start a civil uprising.
“Ay up.. we can get prosecuted for driving over the average, but not over..”
Yes, I thought about it for a while before posting, and thought it best to explain myself!
I believe Jeremy Clarkson suggested something similar in the last series of Top Gear, namely that once you’ve passed the first camera, pull over and have a quick nap, and then speed along your way.
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